How to Choose
A Window Cleaner

If you are considering hiring a window
cleaning company, keep in mind that there window cleaning business is like any other service or industry, with
reputable firms who are eager to provide a worthwhile
service at a competitive cost. Unfortunately it can be
difficult to tell the difference between these and those who
are willing to cut whatever corners they feel they can
get away with.

If you compare window cleaning services
you will find a great variance in the services and fees
offered. It's often a case of comparing "apples with
bananas", while some companies think only in terms of
"getting the job" at the lowest price, you should look for a
company that considers providing quality service to you,
summer and winter, for many years to come.

Some things to consider when
reviewing window cleaning proposals;

For your protection, require all of
your service contractors to provide both a
certificate
of liability and worker's compensation insurance
prior to working on your property. The
certificate should be made
out specifically to your company and cover the workers
that would actually provide the service. Beware of
companies that tell you they are insured but always come
up with some excuse or delay when you request a
certificate of Insurance. (Certificates should be mailed
from their insurance company or agent, not handed to
you). Also beware of those companies who provide
you with a certificate and then have only the owners do
the work or use sub-contract labor, both of which may be
specifically excluded from their insurance coverage.

Check
References:
Actually call all references supplied. We have
found companies listing references that have canceled
their service or customers who have never used their
window cleaning service. Ask if the window
cleaning is completed on schedule, if there have been
sudden large price increases, and what is the appearance
and behavior of their workmen?

Try to
get the price guaranteed long term (2-3 years) with only
annual adjustments for Cost Of Living Rates
and that you can cancel the contract for poor quality or
not-performance. Beware that some window cleaning
companies will give a low quote to "Get the Job" but
will raise the price soon. Also, it is common with some
low price window washing services to skip cleaning
windows they feel you won't notice, and to even charge
for times they don't bother showing up.(we've
found companies skipping the entire north side of
buildings!)

Check
Credentials;
Look for memberships in local and national trade
associations such as the International Window Cleaning
Association (IWCA),the International Window Cleaner
Certification Institute (IWCCI) the Home Builder's
association, The local Chamber of Commerce, etc.
While such memberships can be purchased by anyone, and
should not be taken on their own as a deciding factor;
they can show a company's effort to be involved with
the local business or industry community and learn the
newest and best methods to provide continually improving
service.